Association Between the Cancer Diagnosis-to-Intervention Interval and Short-Term Analgesic Response Following Interventional Pain Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: Cancer-related pain remains difficult to control in a substantial proportion of patients despite contemporary pharmacological treatment, and interventional procedures may provide additional analgesic benefit. However, the relationship between the timing of these procedures and analgesic response remains insufficiently characterized. This study investigated whether the interval between cancer diagnosis and interventional pain treatment was associated with short-term analgesic response.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 106 patients who underwent interventional procedures for cancer-related pain. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and opioid consumption was expressed as morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD). Pain intensity was assessed at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month, whereas opioid consumption was assessed at baseline and 1 month. The primary outcome was a ≥50% reduction in NRS score at 1 month. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with response. Model assumptions, calibration, and internal validation were examined, and sensitivity analyses included generalized estimating equations, parsimonious and Firth-penalized models, and an analysis restricted to neurolytic procedures.